THE PREDICTION OF THE HYDRODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF HYDROFOIL CRAFT IN WAVES

The Rodriquez shipyard in Italy is currently developing a new series of hydrofoil craft, the MEC-class. This class differentiates from the previous ones in the load distribution on the foil system, the hull form and a hydrostatic power transmission system through the aft foil struts fitted with tractor propellers. The latest development in the MEC-class is the MEC1-FS featuring fully submerged foils. These types of hydrofoil craft show superior powering and sea-keeping characteristics at high speeds. Often cited disadvantages of these types of craft are their lower robustness and higher initial and maintenance costs. This is to a large extent caused by the need for a fully automatic ride control system, since a fully submerged hydrofoil has a low stability during manoeuvres and in waves. The aim of the MEC1-FS is, however, to combine the favourable hydrodynamic characteristics with competitive initial and life cycle costs and a high robustness. The MEC1-FS will be the first fully submerged hydrofoil with diesel powered tractor propellers. The development of such a craft requires an extensive research effort. The main design tool is a computer program (HYDSIM) for a time domain simulation of the powering and seakeeping characteristics which is to be linked to a simulation model of the ride control system. An extensive experimental research program will be carried out to determine the hydrodynamic characteristics of the craft. The test results are used directly in the control system and also for validation of the computer program. The entire project will result in a powerful design tool for hydrodynamic design. A description of the basic mathematical model and the control system is given. Some simulation results are presented in the final section.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • FAST '91, 1st Intl Conf on Fast Sea Transportation; 17-21 June 1991; Trondheim, Norway. Procs. Publ by Tapir Publishers, Trondheim, v 2, p 1275 [17 p, 11 ref, 8 fig]
• Authors:
  • Walree, F
  • van Buccini, C
  • Genova, P A
• Publication Date: 1991

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Forecasting; Hydrofoils; Mathematical models; Performance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Performance prediction
• Old TRIS Terms: Ship hydrodynamics
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00701916
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM